It's been just a few months since Saleen announced its Dan Gurney Signature Series Mustang at the New York Auto Show in April, but the limited edition Mustang has already hit showroom floors. Apparently the car at the show was fairly production ready, although we heard that Gurney spent the last few months helping fine tune the suspension just the way he wanted it. According to Saleen, he still would be if they had let him. In addition to the specially tailored suspension settings, the Gurney Edition also features unique bodywork, graphics and interior as well as lightweight 19-inch wheels and Saleen's supercharged V8 pushing out 465 horsepower. We attended a kick-off party at Galpin Ford in Van Nuys, CA where Dan Gurney was on hand to show off the car and sign autographs. We were also able to take a closer look at the car so we could choose which of the three color schemes we like best, but we're still undecided. A high resolution gallery is below that should help you decide for yourself.
We're rather pleased that Saleen has seen fit to offer their excellent 302 cubic inch V8 as a crate engine. Having driven several Mustangs equipped with the powerplant , we feel qualified to say that this is an engine more than worthy of carrying on the 5.0 legacy. If you want take-no-prisoners style horsepower, consider opting for the supercharged model, which we found almost too powerful for every day use in the Saleen S302E Mustang. Perhaps a more streetable choice would be the naturally-aspirated version that we sampled in the Saleen/Parnelli Jones Limited Edition Mustang.
Regardless of your choice of induction, the base engine will have started life as one of Ford's 4.6 liter modular blocks. After being bored and stroked to the requisite five liters, the block receives bigger injectors, ported aluminum heads, performance camshafts, forged-aluminum pistons, forged-steel connecting rods and a forged-steel crank. Power levels range from 390 to 580 horsepower, depending on your choice of options. You can peruse the complete press release after the break.
Saleen doesn't seem to be missing a beat in its first year without Steve Saleen at the helm. It has released several new Mustangs including the Patriot Edition, Sterling Edition, H302 Supercharged and 620-hp S302 Extreme that we sampled in the Autoblog Garage. Now, alongside the S5S Raptor Concept being unveiled in New York tomorrow, its latest Mustang offering is the Gurney Signature Edition. It features a paint scheme recalling Gurney's 1969 Trans Am car, as well as a unique hood and front and rear spoilers. Power comes from a Saleen-supercharged 4.6-liter V8 producing 465 horsepower, and Saleen's Racecraft suspension and Pirelli Corsa tires keep the car planted on the road or track. The interior features custom two-tone seats and Gurney's signature on the dash. No word on pricing yet, but only 300 are scheduled to be produced. That means if you haven't already purchased one of the numerous limited edition Mustangs on the market, then you'd better jump on this one.
It's hard to believe that it's been 25 years since Steve Saleen first founded Saleen Autosport. The company has made a profound impact on the Mustang world since then, producing some of the highest performing Mustangs on the market. The company has a tradition of producing limited-edition anniversary models, starting with the SA-5 Mustang in 1988, the SA-10 in 1993, SA-15 in 1998, and most recently the SA-20 in 2003. That time has rolled around again, and Saleen has announced the SA-25 Sterling Edition Mustang.
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